New York wildfire smoke forecast

The map shows NOAA HRRR-Smoke near-surface PM2.5 for the next 48 hours, updated hourly, with active fire perimeters from NIFC and live AQI from EPA AirNow monitors. It opens over New York City. Search any town or use the buttons above.

New York's heaviest smoke is imported from Canadian fires on northwesterly flow, as in the June 2023 and 2026 episodes that pushed New York City and upstate AQI into hazardous ranges. Buffalo, Rochester, and Syracuse often see it first as it crosses the Great Lakes.

Most of this smoke starts in Canada, so switch the map to the ECCC FireWork model, which resolves Canadian sources HRRR-Smoke can underplay. Compare the two with the layer toggle.

Near-surface is the product that maps to what you breathe and to AQI, not the high-altitude column that only tints the sunset.